By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma Parks and Recreation department is preparing to welcome citizens back to the pond for some fun, rest and relaxation.

The Selma Parks and Recreation Department has opened the East Selma Fishing Pond, and will leave it open all the way to Thanksgiving.

“The East Selma Fishing Pond, which we open a couple times a year, … is for all the citizens of Selma to fish here,” said Elton Reece, director of Selma Parks and Recreation. “It’s located in Ward 8, and it’s a great thing for the community because people can walk here and fish.”

Reece said the pond was restocked in March with 2,000 pounds of catfish and 300 pounds of tilapia, and is open to fishing in the fall to avoid hot weather.

“Normally we open it for four to six weeks in the fall so it’s not so hot,” Reece said. “We open it on Tuesday mornings from 7 a.m. to noon, and then on Thursday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for everybody,” Reece said. “The Tuesday session is for senior citizens 55 and older. Then on Saturday it’s open from 7 a.m. to noon for everybody.”

Reece said it’s a great way for citizens to have fun and relax, but there are limits to the number of catfish that can be caught.

“It’s a great thing for the citizens, you can see them when they come in the gate, they’ll just beam and they’ll sit here and fish all day or until they catch their limit,” Reece said. “They can catch and keep five catfish, but there’s no limit on brim or tilapia.”

Pond director Jackie Young said the pond means a lot to the community, especially the older generation.

“I think it means a lot,” Young said. “A lot of the older people like to come out and enjoy fishing.”